By Ed Farrell
Herald Assistant Sports Editor
CORY JOHNSON has been named to the Pennsylvania High School Baseball Coaches’ Association All-State team.
Johnson, a senior corner infielder and No. 3 hitter, helped steer Sharon High’s 2008 squad to the best single season in the program’s history. The Tigers tallied 21 consecutive triumphs, defended their District 10 Class AA crown, and advanced to the PIAA western regional title tilt before bowing to Burrell — their lone loss.
During the regular season the righthanded-hitting Johnson — bound for Slippery Rock University to continue his education (accounting) and diamond career — batted .470 (31 for 66), including 6 doubles, 2 triples, 5 home runs, with 31 RBI and 32 runs scored. His on-base and slugging percentages were .636 and .500, respectively.
“Cory’s a natural hitter, with a good eye for the ball. He’s a smart kid, with a good head for the game,” praised Tigers’ taskmaster Bill Dorfi.
On the mound, the righty posted a 4-0 won-loss ledger and 2.33 ERA, whiffing 18 in 21 innings pitched while walking 8 and allowing 18 hits. Dorfi said its conceivable SRU veteran mentor Jeff Messer could use Johnson’s right arm, as well as his bat.
“I’m sure he’ll do well wherever they put him,” Dorfi forecasted.
Academically, the son of Jeff and Linda Johnson was 10th in this year’s 135-member Sharon High graduating class, accumulating a 4.01 grade-point-average. He is a member of the school’s chapter of the National Honor Society, and already earned a dozen college credits at Penn State-Shenango’s campus. He also received distinction from various national publications/organizations, including “Who’s Who Among American High School Students.”
“He’s just an all-around good kid,” Dorfi said. “He was our senior captain this year, and last year was an underclassman captain. He’s been a leader for us.”
The PHSBCA large school (AAAA-AAA) All-State team included pitchers Ricky Ott (Shippensburg) and Brett Houseal (Hempfield), a senior and junior, respectively; senior catchers Joe Maloney (Sun Valley) and Jon Steele (Williamsport); senior 1st baseman Ryan Geffert (Wyoming Valley West); the junior keystone combo of 2nd-sacker Austin Wulf (Blackhawk) and shortstop Matt Pierpoint (Canon-McMillan); senior 3rd baseman Jarrod Kramer (Blue Mountain); senior outfielders Chris Dittmar (Canon-McMillan) and Jon Moser (Hempfield) and junior picket Rocco DelPriore (Southern Lehigh), and sophomore designated-hitter Tyler Wingard (Punxsutawney).
In addition to Johnson, the 3rd baseman, PHSBCA’s Small School (AA-A) All-State squad included junior pitchers Joby Lapkowicz (Carmichaels Area) and Brenton Eades (Minersville); senior catcher Cameron Olsen (Serra Catholic); senior Derek Boyer (Schuylkill Haven) and junior David McNeill (Our Lady of the Sacred Heart), who shared 1st-base honors; senior 2nd baseman Cody Montz (Schuylkill Haven); senior shortstop Mike Devine (Springdale); outfielders Zachary Staudt (Cochranton) and Nathan DeFilippi (Center), a pair of seniors, and junior Tyler Jankowski (Lancaster Catholic), and senior DH Dustin Pare (Pius X).
“I couldn’t ask for anything more,” Dorfi said regarding Johnson. “All four years he was a starter, a letterwinner ... just one of those kids you want to have every year.”
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SCHOLASTIC NOTEBOOK: Sharon's Johnson named to All-State baseball squad
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WM baseball, Sharpsville and Wilmington softball playing for D-10 titles
Sharpsville and Wilmington softball teams and the West Middlesex baseball squad return to the diamond today to compete for District 10 championships.
SOFTBALL
Class A Championship
Coach Bob Zikovich's Sharpsville Blue Darlings (15-2) battle a tough Saegertown (18-2) squad at 2 p.m. today at Penn State-Behrend in Erie. -
PIAA Track Notebook: KC's Wareham made round trips to "The Ship"
The most impressive race during this weekend’s PIAA Track & Field Championships did not take place at Shippensburg University, nor will you read its results in any newspaper on or any web site.
To be sure, it was a race against time, but not in the sense of being defined by a coach’s hand-held device, nor Seth Grove Stadium’s scoreboard clock. -
Hickory girls grab PIAA Class AA Track team title
SHIPPENSBURG — This news bulletin just in: Mercer County athletes dominated during this weekend’s PIAA Track & Field Championships.
Nothing new there, you say? Well, perhaps you’re correct, considering how well the area aggregation annually accounts itself on Memorial Day Weekend at Shippensburg University. Therefore it was not surprising how much hardware was hauled home — once again. -
PIAA Track: Hickory's Bell, Lubarski, Regginello grab gold
SHIPPENSBURG — There’s a big difference between being seeded 1st and finishing 1st — Matt Bell can attest to that.
After settling for silver last year, the Hickory High senior put the shot 59 feet, 6 3/4 inches Friday afternoon to garner gold at the annual PIAA Track & Field Championships at Shippensburg University. -
WM to play for D-10 baseball title; GC, Sharon, Sharpsville lose
Four area baseball teams were in action on Friday in the District 10 semifinals as the squads battled to compete for District 10 championships on Monday.
West Middlesex rolled past error-prone Linesville, 8-0, in Class A action at Slippery Rock University’s Jack Critchfield Park.
In Class AA, both Sharon and Sharpsville suffered 2-1 losses. The Tigers fell to Saegertown at Ainsworth Field in Erie while the Blue Devils lost to Titusville at SRU.
In Class AAA, the Grove City Eagles were denied the chance to defend their D-10 crown after suffering a 6-3 loss to Warren at SRU. -
Farrell volleyball falls in D-10 semifinals
The Farrell High boys volleyball team suffered a 2-0 (25-15, 25-12) loss to Saegertown on Thursday night in the District 10 semifinals at Meadville Area High’s “House of Thrills.”
“This was the first year we made it out of the first day (pool play) of the playoffs,” said Steelers’ coach Dan Dragicevic. “I’d like to cite my seniors (Eric Demus, Anthony Perkins, Jaylen Chambers and Lawrence Hughes). -
Locals ready to go for gold at Shippensburg
Now that Mercer County is on the map, it’s incumbent upon the area aggregation to chart a course for the ultimate destination — Seth Grove Stadium’s medals stand — during this weekend’s PIAA Track & Field Championships.
Led by West Middlesex High sprinter Clay Allen, many Mercer Countians are seeded at or near the top of their respective events for the annual 2-day marathon at Shippensburg University, which commences 9 a.m. Friday. It will continue beginning 9 a.m. Saturday. -
D-10 Playoffs: Local teams go 6-for-6
ä Grove City 1, Harbor Creek 0 — At Slippery Rock University’s Jack Critchfield Park, what the Grove City Eagles couldn’t accomplish themselves, the Harbor Creek Huskies unwittingly did for them.
Unable to plate runs themselves, Torin Smith scored the Eagles’ only run when teammate Tyler Devine’s seeming inning-ending pop-up to left field was dropped by Harbor Creek’s Chris Merritt in the bottom of the 7th inning of Tuesday’s tourney opener. -
Great year for WM track; local qualifiers listed
It’s been a big year for the Big Reds.
Though there’s no official documentation, the 2011-12 academic year may be the most successful in West Middlesex High’s athletic annals. -
SPORTVIEW: Local names Kroko, Lutz, Kareklas in news elsewhere
IT’S ALWAYS GOOD to hear of former area people who have gone on to athletic success in other areas, or the family of former area residents. Following are a few of those stories:
ä Bob and Betty Kroko of Sharon are avid followers of professional baseball. No, not necessarily the Pittsburgh Pirates or Cleveland Indians like many local fans.
The Krokos keep a close eye on the Austria Major League! - More Sports Headlines
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